Date Night
A Ghost and Mrs Muir Story
By TunnelsOfTheSouth
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"I finally understood what true love meant...love meant that you care for another person's happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be…"
Nicholas Sparks
Ed Peevey stood before the front door of Gull Cottage, nervously tugging at the close fit of his bow tie. He raised one foot to hastily polish the toe of one shoe on the back of his trouser leg. Then he changed his stance to polish the other. In his hand, he held a small bunch of wildflowers.
A few beads of perspiration stood out on his forehead. He licked his lips as he straightened up before reaching for the door knocker. The door swung open just as he was about to take hold of the brass.
"Hey, there, Mr Peevey." Jonathan waved his baseball mitt as he walked past. "You here again to see Martha?"
"Ah, yes…yes, I am." Ed nodded. "She at home?"
"She's in the kitchen doing some baking," Candy offered helpfully, as she followed her brother out of the house and toward the front steps. "I guess you know the way by now."
She stopped at the edge of the porch and looked back, assessing Peevey closely from his neatly groomed hair to his polished shoes. "You sure look real nice," she offered helpfully. "And I think Martha's making some of your favourite cherry pie. Go on in." She grinned before she ran down the front steps and onto the lawn, followed by Scruffy, barking happily, as he raced out of the house.
"Um, thanks, kids…" Ed adjusted his bow tie once more, before stepping over the threshold.
"Why, good afternoon, Mr Peevey." Carolyn stopped as she was walking across the foyer, carrying a book and a cup of coffee. She looked him up and down with a faint smile on her lips. "Do I gather from the formality of your attire and those flowers that you've come to see Martha? You can't be here to do some more decorating."
"Yeah, I have. And, um, no, I'm not." Ed bobbed his head as he swallowed tightly. "Ah, the kids said she's at home."
"You're right on time. She's baking cherry pies in the kitchen." Carolyn waved one hand toward the kitchen door. "Go on in. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you." Her smile widened as she continued on her way toward the parlour.
"Thank you, Mrs Muir." Ed touched a finger to his forehead before he turned toward the open kitchen door and squared his shoulders.
Daniel materialised beside Carolyn as she was about to enter the parlour. "That unfortunate fellow looks like he's preparing to climb the gallows' steps," he observed drily. "The formal attire and those flowers mean he has more than cherry pie on his mind, today."
"He's in love's thrall." Carolyn shook her head, as she stopped next to him to look back. "Has been for some time. He and Martha have been dancing around each other for almost a year now. Maybe he's finally managed to screw up his courage to ask her for a real date."
"A date?" Daniel frowned his confusion. "I do not take your meaning, Madam. Does he seek to be provided with a piece of dried fruit, or a certain day on the calendar?"
"Oh, sorry, I forgot. Um, an assignation, or a rendezvous?" Carolyn offered, smiling up at him. "Ed Peevey would buy Martha the very best dinner at Norrie's Lobster House and not count the cost. If only she would finally agree to go out with him. I must say, I do admire his persistence. He's had a lot of knockbacks in the past year."
"I see," Daniel mused. "Then persistence must be Peevey's watchword. I must say I admire the man for his pluck. I was unaware he had it in him. He's always presented himself as a chuckle-headed booby. Tell me, where does his romantic stratagem fall short?"
"That's easy." Carolyn shrugged. "Martha's convinced that the best meal in town can only be found here at Gull Cottage. She's justifiably proud of dishes such as her Lobster Newburg and Baked Alaska dessert. Ed has yet to convince her to accompany him on a single evening meal out. I think he's just about given up all hope."
"Ah, now I have the measure of it." Daniel stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Peevey would be her gallant if only the lady would consent to view his suit in a favourable light."
"Her gallant…" Carolyn murmured, tilting her head. "I like that. It's such an old-fashioned term."
"I am an old-fashioned man, Madam. Despite the multitude of years that have passed, good taste and correct etiquette never go out of style. A man must always court his intended lady with full attention to every detail of her likes and desires."
"There we are in total agreement. Too few men think of doing that today. I hope Martha takes pity on him this time. The poor man looked as if he's about to pass out." She turned away to walk into the parlour.
"Sadly, the female sex often needs to be told what they want," Daniel murmured, as he watched Carolyn seat herself on the couch before she opened her book, quickly becoming absorbed in her reading, her coffee cooling on the table in front of her.
"I would be your gallant, if it were at all possible, my dear…" he whispered, before vanishing.
Meanwhile, Ed Peevey had stopped in the kitchen doorway to sniff the air in deep appreciation. Martha was indeed baking his favourite cherry pie. He licked his lips before walking into the room.
"Mr Peevey!" Martha saw him at once. "I wasn't expecting to see you today. You look very nice." She looked him up and down with deepening curiosity, frowning at the flowers he was carrying. "I gather you're not here to do some painting."
"I thought I might surprise you." Ed held the flowers out. "I've brought you somethin'."
"I can see that." Martha dusted her floury hands on her apron, before accepting his gift. "I love wildflowers." She sniffed the bunch. "Thank you."
"I know." Ed smiled at her shyly. "They're from my garden. You admired them the last time you were there."
He stiffened his stance, taking a long breath, before expelling it in a rush. "I've come by today because I wanted…I wanted to ask you somethin'. Somethin' real important."
"Sit down." Martha indicated the kitchen table, as she fussed about finding a vase for the flowers. She placed it on the kitchen island. "You're just in time for a slice of hot cherry pie."
"You know I'll never say no to your cherry pie," Ed approved, seating himself as directed.
Martha fetched the cake knife from the drawer before cutting a generous slice of the pie. She slid it onto a plate and added a fork before carrying it to the table.
"Best cherry pie in Maine," Ed approved, picking up the fork. He inhaled with anticipation. "Martha, you sure know how to bake your way right into a man's heart."
"Well, I do like a man who enjoys his food." Martha sat down opposite, to watch him clear the plate in record time.
"Speakin' of food, Martha…" Ed pushed his plate aside. "Um, you see, I know we've been goin' together for a while now. So, I thought… Well, you know…" He floundered into silence.
Right then, Jonathan bounded into the kitchen. "Are there any cookies left, Martha? I'm starved."
"You're always hungry. I don't know where you put all the food." Martha sighed as she got up to fetch a cookie tin. She opened it and held it out. "Take some for Candy, too."
"Thanks, Martha!" The boy put in one hand at a time, coming out with several treats. "Some for Scruffy, as well," he declared, diving out of the kitchen again before the housekeeper could protest.
"I swear, my baking disappears around here like magic. Sometimes I think there's actually a ghost who just spirits things away, right out of my pans."
"Ghost? What ghost?" Ed wiped his mouth on the back of his hand as he looked around the kitchen nervously. He tugged again at his necktie.
"Just some old wives' tales about Captain Gregg haunting this house. You know the stories. I don't pay 'em any mind. It's just idle gossip." Martha sat down at the table again. "Now, what was it you wanted to ask me?"
At the same moment, Carolyn entered the kitchen. "I'm sorry, Martha…Mr Peevey…" She nodded apologetically. "But my coffee's gone cold. My book is so good, I got lost in it." She crossed to the stove to pick up the coffee pot. "Ignore me, I won't be long."
"No problem," Martha replied. "Ed's just popped for some of my cherry pie. I swear he can smell it from a mile away every time I do some baking."
"Is that all he came for?" Carolyn looked from Ed's deeply harassed expression to the vase of flowers on the kitchen island. "I was sure he had something else in mind."
"Oh, no, Mrs Muir…" Ed wriggled in his chair, looking hunted. "Pie, just pie. I can always take another slice of Martha's cherry one." He pushed his plate across the table. "In fact, I could eat some right now, if you've a mind to cut it for me, Martha."
"Of course." Martha took the plate and proceeded to serve another generous slice. "And I'll wrap some more for you to take home with you. You know you get the only best food in my kitchen."
"I know that." Ed nodded quickly. "Wouldn't think of ever going anywhere else," he lied with a straight face.
Carolyn smiled as she turned away. "I'll leave you two to it, then." She picked up her cup and left the kitchen.
Daniel materialised as she walked back across the foyer. "Surely you were not taking time to eavesdrop upon their budding romance, Madam?"
"How could you think that? I just went for coffee." Carolyn held up her new-filled cup.
"You went to snoop, Mrs Muir. Admit it. To discover Peevey's intentions toward your housekeeper. Which are his private concern and none of yours."
Carolyn sighed. "Of course, I know that. I know Ed means well, and Martha deserves to have a good man in her life," she replied honestly. "And Ed is a very good man. It's just that…just that…" She shrugged.
"You would hate to see your little family broken up if Martha and Ed got married and she moved out." Daniel watched her with compassion. "I can understand that. Martha means a lot to all of you. I, too, would be sorry to see her leave."
"Yes, she means a great deal to us all." Carolyn shook her head. "But I would never stand in the way of her ultimate happiness. If Ed is the man she wants, then we would just have to make the best of it."
She looked back toward the kitchen. "But the poor man seems to be making a total hash of it, right now. He looks like he wants to throw up. And as usual, Martha thinks he only came over to bring her flowers and have a slice or two of her cherry pie. They've been stuck in the same rut for nearly a year."
"The poor man, as you call him, has not been allowed to have a moment alone to press his intentions further." Daniel folded his arms. "Mayhap he would be better able to conduct his romance if there were no more such unwanted intrusions by well-meaning individuals."
"I only went in there for coffee." Carolyn tried to maintain her innocent expression as she continued on her way across the foyer and back to the couch. She sat down and picked up her book, finding her place once more, while refusing to look up at him.
Daniel shook his head at her. "Any man should be allowed to prosecute his suit in peace, without such intrusive interruptions. How will he ever discover if the romance is worth pursuing if he is never allowed to properly test the waters?"
He turned his thoughtful gaze toward the kitchen. "Perhaps someone with the right notion of how such intimate affairs should be conducted had better take control of the situation before it gets out of hand and a man's heart is broken." He vanished as he spoke.
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The large clock in Claymore's office chimed the hour of midnight. Claymore hummed to himself as he made ready for bed. He'd stayed up late completing his favourite pastime, balancing his accounts to his immense satisfaction.
It had been an excellent day for his bottom line and he was especially happy. His coffers were fattening nicely and since winter would be arriving soon, the annual fact-finding mission by the town council to warmer climes would be on the agenda once more. All that needed to be ratified was a suitable location.
"Yes, it has been a very excellent day for me!" He chuckled, as he changed into his pyjamas before going into the bathroom to brush his teeth.
He bent over the basin to rinse his mouth before straightening. He jumped when he saw the mirrored reflection of an unwanted visitor standing behind him.
"Go away!" he demanded of the disliked image of his great-uncle. "Leave me alone!"
"And a good evening to you too, Claymore," Daniel replied urbanely. "It's so nice to see you again."
"Why are you here? What do you want?" Claymore grouched, hurrying back into his bedroom. "It's very late and I'm tired. I have a big day tomorrow. I must chair the town council meeting. We have important business to discuss."
He turned out the bedside light, then yawned widely, before getting between the covers of his bed and lying down. He closed his eyes and feigned sleep.
"And another day spent wringing the last sou from penniless widows and starving orphans?" Daniel sat down on the side of the bed. "You should be ashamed of yourself."
His great-nephew grumbled, "Business is business. Besides, there are no penniless widows and starving orphans in Schooner Bay, as well you know."
"No thanks to you." Daniel shrugged.
"What do you want?" Claymore repeated sourly.
"Your help," Daniel sat back, crossing his legs. He gave the decided impression he was not going anywhere.
"With what?" Claymore opened one reluctant eye. "And what's it going to cost me?" he continued suspiciously. "You know I'm a very poor man."
"I very much doubt that," Daniel replied smoothly. "I need you to do something for me."
"If I consent to help you, will you go away and leave me alone?"
"If you do as I ask, I will happily leave you to your own devices. For now."
"Very well. What do you need me to do? Nothing strenuous, now, because I have a very bad back." He groaned, pressing one hand to his spine. "And you're giving me a headache." He pressed the back of his other hand to his forehead.
"At your council meeting tomorrow, I require you to reward each of your hard-working town councillors with an all-expenses-paid meal at Norrie's Lobster House. Each meal ticket is to be for two, so they may bring a partner, and on the evening of their choice. You will throw in all the trimmings and dessert for good measure. And don't forget the wine."
Daniel watched with grim satisfaction as his great-nephew's morose face lost all colour. "Surely the idea will cost you a lot less than your usual yearly fact-finding jaunt to warmer climes."
"I…you…but…but…" Claymore spluttered. "That's twelve full lobster meals! You cannot possibly expect me to pay for all that! I won't, I tell you, I won't!"
"Stop acting like a baby!" Daniel shouted back. "Anyone would think I have asked you to part with your entire fortune. This is simply a generous gesture on your part. Think what it will do for your votes at the next council election when you run for president, again."
"What are you up to?" Claymore demanded suspiciously. "Why are you doing this? What have I ever done to you?"
"If I bother to answer that question, we will be here all night. Suffice it to say, I have my reasons."
Daniel sat back. "I have decided to perform a small service for a fellow traveller trapped by circumstances he cannot control. He simply needs a nudge down the correct path."
"You're not making any sense. Since when do you care about the living? You never did before." Claymore pulled himself up in the bed to lean back against the headboard. "And you cannot make me spend a cent of my own money. I'm not scared of you, and I refuse to be bullied. Besides, it's all tied up in real estate and loans."
"Very well. I knew you think like a worthless Ebenezer Scrooge declaring your pockets are to let. Therefore, to sweeten the deal, I have decided to bring this, for you…" Daniel extended one closed hand, opening it slowly to reveal a round, luminous, saltwater pearl the size of a pigeon's egg. It nestled in his palm.
"Ohhhh…" Claymore's eyes flew wide open, gleaming with sudden avarice. He reached to switch on the bedside light before sitting forward, his greedy fingers reaching for the pearl. "Come to Daddy…"
"Not yet…" Daniel snatched it back, closing his hand again. "You have not agreed to my bargain. Did you hear what I said?"
"Twelve lobster meals with all the trimmings at Norrie's Lobster House and don't forget the wine. I heard you." Claymore kept his eyes fixed on the prize. "Deal!"
"I know you would see it my way," Daniel replied sarcastically. "I can always count on you to do the right thing, Claymore. The right thing for you."
He extended his hand again, dropping the pearl into the covers of the bed with a disdainful flick of his hand. Claymore dived for it, holding it aloft in triumph, before tucking his prize safely away in the pocket of his pyjama jacket.
"Don't let me down, Claymore," Daniel warned, standing up. "Or I'll make sure you live to regret it."
"Yes, yes…" Claymore lay down again, one hand pressed over the pearl. "I'll do as you ask. Now, please, go away. I need to sleep." He closed his eyes and lay still.
"You always were a miserable, conniving skinflint," Daniel commented in a resigned tone before he vanished.
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"What's the catch, Claymore?" Deke Tuttle frowned suspiciously at his town council's president. "You don't do anything without wantin' somethin' in return." He looked around at the other council members seated before Claymore's office desk for confirmation.
"Yeah, what's in it for you?" Seth Vogel demanded to know. "Dinner for two at Norrie's for each and every one of us. That's not like you to be so open-handed. Why the sudden burst of generosity?"
"You're not thinking of cancelling this year's fact-finding trip, are you?" Ed Peevey raised his eyebrows in suspicion. "I'm all packed and ready to go. I could use some time in the sun."
"Gentlemen, gentlemen, please…" Standing behind his desk, Claymore raised both hands. "Surely I'm allowed to reward your hard work with a small gift of appreciation without this questioning of my motives?"
His gaze strayed briefly to the painting of George Washington that covered his wall safe, where Captain Gregg's pearl was securely held. He couldn't wait to get it appraised. He was sure it would turn him a handsome profit.
"You've never given anything away in your life, Claymore. We all know that." Seth Vogel affirmed.
"You wound me." Claymore pressed his hand over his heart. "I am known to be the most generous of men."
"When it suits you," Ed grumbled. "And then only if there's a dollar in it, for you."
"If any of you wish to decline my offer…" Claymore looked at each of them in turn. He advanced his hand toward the small pile of meal coupons.
"Fine by me. I'll take it." Vogel leaned forward to snatch his from the desk. "Mrs Vogel's been nagging me for months to take her out. This will do the trick nicely and it won't cost me a bean. Thank you, Claymore."
"Me too." Tuttle took his. "If my sister gets wind of this, I'll never hear the end of it."
"Peevey?" Claymore raised an eyebrow.
"Me too, I guess." Ed took his coupon. "I'm sure I can find a use for it."
"I thought you were seeing the Muir's housekeeper?" One of the other councillors put in, as the rest of the group crowded forward to receive their gifts. "What's her name? Martha?"
"Maybe I am…Then again, maybe I'm not," Ed replied, noncommittally, rocking back in his chair. He tapped the coupon thoughtfully against his cheek.
Claymore sat down before banging his gavel on the desk. "All right, then, all right. We've wasted enough time on trifles. Let's get on with the real business of this council meeting. We need to decide where we plan to go on this year's fact-finding mission…"
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"You're asking me to go out with you?" Martha frowned. "For a lobster dinner at Norrie's?"
"I wanted to ask you the other day," Ed defended his position. "But what with them interruptions an' all…"
He'd been wise enough on this visit to Gull Cottage to draw Martha out into the back garden, away from prying eyes. Or so he hoped. He was watching her hang out a fresh load of washing on the line.
"What's wrong with my cooking, then?" Martha demanded to know, pegging out one of Jonathan's shirts with unnecessary force. "You haven't turned down a cherry pie, yet."
"Nothing! Nothing at all," Ed said quickly. "I just thought you'd like a night off."
"So now you're saying I can't do my work properly?"
"Oh, Martha, I would never say that," Ed apologised. "It was just that Claymore gave us all a ticket for a meal for two at Norrie's. I thought you might like a meal out for one night."
Captain Gregg materialised behind Peevey. He'd been listening to their confused conversation and could see the man's suit was destined for failure because he had no backbone and no idea how to press forward.
He leaned forward to whisper in Ed's ear. "Women want you to command them. You are the man and you will not take no for an answer! I will not tolerate your undoing of all my good work on your behalf. I have sacrificed a pearl of exceptional quality for you. You will state your case and tell the woman she will go out with you tomorrow night, and that's the end of it! Now, do it, man! Before I lose all patience with the pair of you!"
"Martha Grant…" Ed puffed out his chest. "You will go out with me tomorrow night, and I will not take no for an answer. I have made up my mind and that's the end of it."
"Ed Peevey…" Martha stared at him in open-mouthed astonishment. "I…why didn't you say so in the first place?"
"I…you…" Ed floundered.
"Backbone, man, backbone!" Daniel commanded. "Give her a time for your assignation and take your leave immediately!"
"Good." Ed nodded. "Then I'll be by to pick you up at eight o'clock tomorrow evening." He saluted Martha briskly. "See ya, then."
He performed a smart about-face and headed for the cottage front gate and his vehicle before his courage failed him.
"Well, I never… Who knew Ed had it in him?" Martha stared after him in stunned bemusement.
Carolyn walked into the garden, looking back over her shoulder, watching Ed driving away. "What did Mr Peevey want this time?"
"He's taking me out to dinner tomorrow night," Martha replied, still looking bemused. "He said he won't take no for an answer. His mind's made up."
"Good for him," Carolyn declared. "It's about time."
"You knew about this?"
"I had an idea." Carolyn shrugged. "He's been coming around an awful lot lately."
"For my cherry pie," Martha affirmed.
"He's after a lot more than just your baking, Martha. If you'll let him."
"He may be, but I'm happy as I am. But, since he insisted, I guess I can take one night off." Martha picked up the empty washing basket. "Can I tempt you with a cup of coffee and a slice of cherry pie? I managed to save a slice or two."
"You know you can always tempt me with your pie." Carolyn smiled, following her back inside.
She paused in the doorway, turning back to the garden. "Thank you, Captain," she whispered.
"Any time, Mrs Muir…" Daniel replied, without appearing. "A man must be allowed every opportunity to court his intended lady…"
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"Sometimes you have to be apart from people you love, but that doesn't make you love them any less. Sometimes you love them more..."
Nicholas Sparks